Bowling pin setting apparatus



'15 1940- G. J. SCHMIDT BOWLING PIN SETTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10. 1957 s SheetE-Sheet 1 Oct. 15 1940. ca. .J. SCHMIDT BOWLING PIN SETTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 15 1940; J T 2,217,709

.HIQQBOWLING PIN sm'rme APPARATUS Filed Nov. 10, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,217,109 I BOWLING rm SETTING APPARATUS Gottfried J.- Schmidt, Pearl River, N.

Patents Management to Bowling Y., assignor Corporation,

a corporation of New York Application November 10, 1937, Serial No. 173,926

34 Claims.

My invention relates to bowling pin setting apparatus.

An important object of the invention is to improve the construction shown in my co-pending application for Bowling pin setting apparatus, Serial No. 101,332, filed September 17, 1936, rendering the apparatus more sensitive and reliable in operation.

I A further object of the invention is to provide suction means which will properly engage with the standing bowling pins, when the pins are concentric or eccentric with respect to the spots, and elevate the same, to permit of the sweeping of the bed, and then return the pins to the precise positions previously occupied upon the bed.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character which upon engaging with the upstanding pin will be automatically shifted by the pin, without moving the pin, and become centered with respect to the pin so that it may properly raise the pin.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character which is raised by the pin at the time of contact therewith, to have a floating action so that it may be shifted laterally by the pin with the minimum amount of applied force.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for securely holding the shiftable pin engaging suction device against movement with respect to the elevator as when the elevator is being inverted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve device adapted to control the suction to the suction cups and also serving to clamp the suction units to a part of the elevator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a suction device which is substantially rigid and will raise a pin which may be inclined from the true vertical and hold it at the same angle and reset the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line L4 01. Figure 3, showing the plunger of the valve device in the normal position without the suction being turned on and just prior to the suction cup engaging the pin,

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the suction 5 cup moved down into engagement with the pin, the suction turned on, and the plunger lowered,

Figure 6 is a similar view showing a portion of the suction cup in engagement with a part of the elevator and the plunger raised past the nor- 10 mal position,

Figure 7 is a central vertical section through a slightly modified form of suction cup,

Figure 8 is a similar view, parts broken away, of a further modified form of suction cup, 15

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the elevator and V the means for raising, lowering and inverting the same, and,

Figure 10 is a detail view in perspective of the guide or track means forming a part of the oper- 20 ating mechanism shown in Fig. 9.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose-of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral l0 designates an elevator or carrier, corresponding to the elevator or carrier 45 in my co-pendingapplication 101,332. The elevator I0 is mounted to be raised and lowered while maintained horizontal, and is inverted or turned over for during its vertical movements, as further described herein, and as set forth'in my co-pending application. The elevator may be raised and lowered and inverted by any suitable means, such as are illustrated in my co-pending application 101,332 or by other means. Arranged above the elevator l0, Figure 1, is a triangular group of guards or holders ll, rigidly mounted upon suction cum I 2, in turn rigidly mounted upon pipes l3 or the like which are rigidly attached to the elevator l0. The suction cups l2 are provided with the usual valves, 40 having stems to engage with the top of the pins, for opening thevalves. The suction cups H are arranged to correspond to the arrangement of the bowling pins upon the bowling alley, when set thereon. 45

The numeral l4 designates an upper plate rigidly attached to the bottom of the elevator, and I5 is a lower plate, spaced from the upper plate I 4 and parallel therewith and rigidly attached to the same by spacers IE or the like.

The numeral I1 designates suction cups or elements, mounted between the upper and lower plates l4 and I5 and arranged in a. triangular group, corresponding to the arrangement of the spotted pins upon the bed of the bowling alley. as

The group oi suction cups I1 is reversed with respect to the group of suction cups I2, and the tapered end of one groupis arranged adjacent to the base of the other group, as shown. Rigidly attached to the lower end of each suction cup or housing I1 is a tapered or conical shifting element or guide I8, attached thereto by rivets I9 or the like. The tapered shifting element or guide I8 is concentric with respect to its suction cup or housing I1 and increases in diameter downwardly. The shifting element or guide I8 rests upon the lower plate I5, and is freely slidable thereon. under certain conditions, as will be explained. The plate I is provided with a pin receiving opening 20, for each shifting element or guide I8, which surrounds the opening 20, as shown. Preferably formed integral with the top of the suction cup or housing I1 is a disc 2|, which covers the top of the cup or housing I1 and projects radially beyond the same. This disc has an opening 22 at its center, in communication with the interior of the cup or housing I1, and the disc is provided at its periphery with an upstanding flange 23, for receiving or holding a sealing ring or gasket 24, formed of rubber or the like. The cup or housing l1 and the shifting element or guide I8 are circular in cross section, and are concentric, as stated, and the cup or housing I1 has its lower end beveled at 25, for engaging with the tapered or rounded end of the pin 26, and a ring or gasket 21 is preferably arranged adjacent to the bevel end 25, to insure an air tight fit or seal with the handle end of the pin 26.

A valve device 26 is provided for each suction cup or housing I1 and is arranged above the same, and generally concentric with relation thereto. This valve device is rigidly attached to the upper plate I4. The valve device comprises a casing 29, open at its top, and receiving therein a reciprocatory plunger 30, having a stem 3i. A compressible coil spring 32 is arranged above the plunger and a compressible coil spring 33 arranged below it. The weight of the plunger 30 and stem 3I combined with the downward force of the spring 32 is suflicient to compress the spring 33, a sufficient amount, so that the stem 3| will normally project through an opening 34 in the plate I4 and project downwardly below the plate I4, for a selected distance, as shown in Figure 4, before the suction acts upon the lower side of the plunger 30. The stem. 3| has a lower cylindrical portion 35, having an air tight sliding flt within a cylindrical opening 36 formed in the bottom 31. A suction pipe 33 leads into the interior of the casing 29, beneath the plunger 30 and above the bottom 31, as shown. The stem 35 is provided with a longitudinal port 39, having communication at-its lower end with a transverse port 40. The longitudinal port 39 communicates at its upper end with a transverse port 4I. When the plunger 30 is in the normal upper position, Figure 4, the transverse port M is covered by the bottom 31 and hence not in communication with the interior of the casing 29, and when the plunger 30 is moved downwardly due to the action of suction, the transverse port M is also covered by the bottom 31, Figure 5.

In Figure '1, I have shown a modified form of suction cup, designated by the numeral I1. This suction cup is longitudinally adjustable and for this purpose it comprises upper and lower telescoping sections 42 and 43. The shifting element or guide I8 is rigidly attached to the upper section 42, and a compressible coil spring 44 serves to move the lower section 43 downwardly. The telescopic sections 42-43 can be secured against separation in any known manner, such for instance, as by securing the ends of spring 44 to sections 42 and 43, or by the use of a pin and slot connection (not shown) or other suitable means. The same lower gasket 21 is employed and all other parts are substantially identical with those shown and described in connection with Figure 4.

Figure 8 shows a further modification of suction cup. In this form of the invention the disc 2| carries a rubber gasket or ring 45, corresponding to the ring 24, but possessing a greater degree of compressibility and elasticity and being conmit of a further upward movement of the suction cup with respect to the plate I4, if necessary.

The numeral 46 designates a safety guard ring, rigidly secured to the plate I4 and surrounding the disc 2|. This ring will limit the lateral shifting of the elements I8, if the elevator should be inverted without turning on the suction to the cylinders 32. Referring to Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, the mechanism for moving the elevator I0 toward and away from the alley bed I20 comprises a pair of spaced vertical grooved tracks or guides I26 which are preferably U- shaped in cross-section. The upper ends of the vertical tracks are rigidly connected by a horizontal frame or support I21 and their lower ends are attached to the partitions I23 of the alley. Each grooved track I26 is provided with a laterally extending portion I29, including an upper branch I30 and a lower branch I3I connected by an intermediate curved portion I32. The upper and lower branches I30 and I3I are inclined vertically and diverge toward the vertical track I26. Each vertical grooved track I26 is provided with a third laterally extending grooved branch I33 which leads into the grooved track I26 inwardly and near the upper end of the branch I30 and leads into the portion I29 adjacent to the curved intermediate portion I32. The upper branch I30 also leads into the outer end of the branch I33 adjacent to the curved portion I32 and a pivoted gate I35 is arranged to control the passage of the roller I02 from the branch I3I into the branch I33. The gate I35 is pivoted at I36 adjacent to its upper end. The gate I35 is forced inwardly by a spring I31. The gate has a stop shoulder I38 at its lower end.

It is thus seen that a roller such as the roller I02 on the crank arm IOI secured rigidly to the shaft 84 when traveling downwardly through the branch I30, will depress the gate I35 and pass the same to enter the lower branch I3I, but when this roller travels upwardly through the branch I3I it will engage the stop shoulder I38 and thus be deflected thereby into the branch I33. A gate I39 is pivoted at I40 and has a stop shoulder MI and is arranged adjacent to the union of the branch I33 and the track I26. This gate is spring-pressed and is similar to the gate I35, and will serve to permit the roller traveling upwardly through the branch I33 to enter the vertical track I26, but will prevent the roller from entering the upper end of the branch I33 when it moves downwardly in the track I26. A second pivoted gate I42 is arranged adjacent to the union of the upper end of the branch I30 with the track I26 and has a stop shoulder I43. This gate is spring-pressed and similar to the gate I35. This gate I42 will deflect the roller from the grooved track I26 into the upper end of branch I30 upon siderably taller than the gasket 24. This will perposition.

The elevator I0 is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 84, Fig. 10, which is rockable in bearings 81 which are rigidly bolted to plates 88 rigidly secured to vertically movable carriages 89. These carriages travel on the outer sides of the tracks I26 and have guide rollers 60. The carriages are raised by cables 9i extending upwardly to be passed about frames 92 rotated by members 93 or the like, which are suitably controlled as set forth in the above mentioned application S. N. 101,332, to raise and lower the elevator I0. A suction pipe I03 is connected with each of the pipes I38 through the hollow interior 84a of the shaft 84, this pipe I03 being connected to a suitable vacuum pump I05. In the operation of the apparatus, when the elevator begins to descend, it is in the position shown in Fig. 9. When the elevator moves downwardly sufficiently, the roller I02 at each side of the elevator enters the inclined branch I30 and the arm or crank IOI is accordingly shifted from its vertical position to an inclined position, which effects a tilting of the carrier upon its horizontal transverse axis, as defined by the shaft 84. By the time the roller I02 reaches the curved portion I32 of the portion I29, the elevator has been tilted so that its weight tends to complete the tilting action in the arm IOI as now arranged above the elevator, instead of below it, and as the elevator continues on its downward movement the arm IOI continues to approach the vertical until the roller, I02 again enters the track I26 below the branch I3I, at which time the elevator will have been inverted and be in true horizontal position. When the roller passes through the branch I30, as explained, it is deflected by the gate I42 into the branch I30, and passes the gate I35 and the gate I, shifting it to a position to cover the adjacent portion of the track I26, and enters the tracks I26 below the gate I. The elevator new continues to move downwardly until the butt ends of, the pins in the holds II contact the alley bed.

At this point, the motor is operated to raise the elevator. As the elevator moves upwardly, the roller I02 will travel in the track I26 until it engages the gate I" previously shifted to the left, and the roller will thereafter travel through branch I3I, curved portion I32 and branch I33, and will pass gate I39 and re-enter vertical track I26 near and beneath the gate I 42. The arm IOI will thus turn the elevator in an opposite direction for one-half of a revolution to completely invert the same again, whereby the shiftable resetting members I8 and suction holders I! will be in the lowermost position, and the holders II in the uppermost position, as shown at the upper center of Figure 9. The motor is stopped and the elevator brought to rest at this point while the first ball is rolled.

In order to lift standing pins while dead wood is removed from the alley bed, the motor is again started and the elevator descends to bring the resetting suction devices I'I into proper engagement with the head ends of the pins. After this occurs, the motor is stopped and the elevator is brought to rest with the holder II in engagement with the head ends of the pins, the conical elements I8 having served to shift the holders into centered position with respect to the pins.

It should be noted that when the elevator was lowered to bring the resetting holders I1 into engagement with the head ends of the pins, the roller I02 traveled straight through the vertical track I26 and swung gate I44 to the right, and upon upward movement of the elevator, upon restarting the motor in a reverse direction, the roller I02 will not enter branch I 3| but travels vertically through the track I26 and will be stopped near and beneath the gate I42. The dead wood having been cleared away, the motor is again started and the elevator lowered, the roller continuing to travel in the vertical track I26 and passing gate I which is now at the right, having been shifted into this position on the previous downward trip of the elevator. The downward movement of the elevator continues until the pins have been reset. The elevatorretur'ns to initial starting position and the cycle of operation may be repeated. In short, by the action of tracks I30, I 3I, I33 and I26 and their associated gates on the roller I02, the elevator I0 is inverted as a result of its vertical movement by the motor 93 and the cable 9|.

The elevator may be the uppermost position assumed to be stopped at and the guards II filled with the pins. As soon as the pins enter the guards II, their handle ends engage the'stems of the valves within the suction cups I 2, and suction is applied to the interior of these cups as disclosed in application 101,332.v At this time, the pipe 38 of each valve device 28 is in communication with a source of suction. As soon as the suction is applied'beneath the plunger 30, Figures 4 and 5, the plunger is moved downwardly, Figure 5, since the transverse port M is covered. When the plunger is moved downwardly, Figure 5, the transverse port 4| by the bottom 31, and hence the chamber beneath the plunger 30 is closed, and the suction retains the plunger in the lowered position. When moved downwardly, the plunger 30 shifts the stem 35 downwardly and this stem now bears against the upper surface of the disc 2I, forcing suction cup or housing I'I downwardly, and clamping shifting element or guide I8 against the lower plate I5. By this means, all of the suction cups and their shifting elements or guides III are positively held against shifting movement with relation to the plate I5, while the elevator is being inverted, as will be described. As the elevator travels downwardly, it is inverted or turned over for 180, whereby the suction cups I2 occupy the lowermost position while the suction cups II are now arranged upon the upper side of the elevator. The downward movement of the elevator continues until the pins are set on the bed of the alley. After the pins have been set, the suction is relieved from within the suction cups I2 so that the pins remain set when the elevator rises, the suction still remaining as applied to the plungers 30. The elevator is again inverted as it travels upwardly so that the suction cups I! now assume the lowermost position. The elevator does not travel to the uppermost position but is stopped in an intermediate position, for raising and subsequently respotting the pins. When the elevator reaches the intermediate position and after being inverted as explained, suction is cut off. The player rolls the first ball, and assuming that some of the pins remain standing, the elevator I0 now moves downwardly, with the elements arranged remains covered in the positions shown in Figure 4. The tapered shifting elements or guides l8 first pass over the handle ends of the pins. These shifting elements are resting upon the plate IE but are not connected therewith, and are therefore floating and have the minimum frictional engagement with the plate l5. Should a pin be struck by the ball or another pin and knocked eccentric with respect to the spot, but remain standing, then when the shifting element or guide l8 receives the handle end of the pin therein, the shifting element or guide will be automatically shifted horizontally with respect to the plate l5, while being elevated, more or less, by the pin. The shifting element or guide l8 will therefore shift laterally and become concentric with the pin, so that its suction cup l'l will properly receive the handle end of the pin therein. This shifting. of the element or guide I8 is effected without moving the pin. When the elevator descends, as last stated, the handle end of the pin is received into the suction cup H, which is now held against further downward movement, and the further downward movement of the elevator and plate I4 brings the plate l4 into contact with the ring or gasket 24, efl'ecting an air tight seal within this ring or gasket. After this air tight seal is effected, the suction is turned on in the pipe 38, and the plunger 30 cannot now move downwardly and this plunger has been shifted upwardly slightly beyond the normal position, Figure 4. The transverse port 40 is now in communication with the interior of the suction cup I1 through the opening 22 and the upper transverse port 4| is in communication with the chamber beneath the plunger 30, and suction in the pipe 38 is accordingly transmitted to the suction cup. The suction will therefore hold the standing pin or pins within the suction cup or cups l1 and this suction remains applied in the cups holding pins, but the cups which do not hold pins, have their plungers 30 projecting downwardly so that the transverse ports 4| are covered thereby preventing the line from bleeding. The elevator now rises and stops at a suitable elevation above the bed and the elevator is not inverted. The bed of the alley is now swept and the elevator moves downwardly and returns the pins to the precise positions that they previously occupied on the bed, after which the suction is broken in the pipes 38 and the elevator rises, and travels to the uppermost position without being inverted to receive ten of the pins in the guards H. The second ball is now rolled and the bed swept and the apparatus again operated to set ten new pins.

The suction cups H are rigid and hence when they have holding engagement with a pin, which may be inclined from the true vertical, it will raise the pin while holding the same at such angle and again reset the same.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator, suction cups carried by the elevator and shiftable laterally with relation thereto, means connected with each suction cup for engagement with an upstanding pin so that such suction cup will be shifted laterally if the pin is eccentric with respect to its spot, and suction operated means to hold each suction cup against lateral movement with respect to the elevator.

2. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator including a support, tapered downwardly flaring shifting elements having their lower large ends resting upon the support, the shifting elements being movable laterally with relation to the support and to be raised with relation to the support, the shifting elements being adapted to engage with the handle ends of the pins, suction operated means carried by each shifting element and adapted for holding engagement with the holding end of the pin, and means to force each shifting element downwardly for holding engagement with the support.

3. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator including a support, tapered downwardly flaring shifting elements having a floating mounting with their lower ends resting upon the support, the shifting elements being adapted to be raised with relation to the support and to be shifted laterally with relation thereto, and pin holding means carried by each shifting element.

4. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator including a plate and a support arranged beneath the plate in spaced relation, downwardly flaring tapered pin engaging shifting elements adapted to rest upon the support and to be raised from such support and be shifted laterally with relation thereto. a suction cup carried by each shifting element, and means carried by each suction cup to engage with said plate when the suction cup is raised to automatically supply suction to the suction cup.

5. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator including a support, a downwardly flaring tapered shifting element resting upon the support and adapted to be raised from the support and shifted laterally with relation to the support by contact with the handle end of a pin, a suction operated device carried by the shifting element for engaging the handle end of the pin, and means automatically actuated by the raising of th shifting element to supply suction to the suction operated device.

6. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator including a support and a plate arranged above the support, a downwardly flaring tapered shifting element resting upon the support and adapted to be raised therefrom and be shifted laterally with relation thereto. a suction cup mounted upon the upper end of the shifting element, means carried by the suction cup to contact with the plate when the shifting element is raised to form an air tight chamber having communication with the suction cup, and means to create suction within the chamber.

'7. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator including a support and a plate arranged above the support in spaced relation, said plate having an opening formed therein, a downwardly flaring tapered shifting element resting upon the support and adapted to be raised and shifted laterally with relation thereto, a suction cup mounted upon the shifting element and having an opening in its top and provided with a disc having packing, the packing engaging the plate when the shifting element is raised so that the disc and plate form an air tight chamber, and suction supply means connected with the plate and including a stem extending through the opening in the plate for engagement with the top of the suction cup, the stem being shifted by the upward movement of the suction cup.

8. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator including a support, a downwardly flaring tapered shifting element resting upon the support and shiftable laterally with relation thereto, a suction operated device mounted upon the shifting element, and pneumatic means having a movable part shiftable into engagement with the suction device for holding the suction device against shifting movement with respect to the support.

9. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator, a downwardly flaring tapered pin engaging shifting element mounted upon the elevator and vertically movable with relation to said elevator in response to pressure of a standing pin against the element, a suction cup mounted upon the shifting element, means operated as a result of said relative vertical movement to form an air tight chamber having communication with the suction cup, a cylinder fixed to said elevator near such chamber, a plunger within the cylinder and having a stem and adapted to project into the chamber to engage with the suction cup, for movement thereby relative to said elevator, a source of suction, and means for communicating suction from said source of suction to said suction cup when said plunger is given movement by the cup as a result of said movement of the flaring element when engaged by a standing pin.

10. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator, a downwardly flaring tapered pinengaging shifting element mounted upon the elevator and vertically and laterally movable with relation thereto, a pin engaging suction cup mounted upon the shifting element, a cylinder arranged near the suction cup, a plunger mounted within the cylinder and having a stem adapted to engage with the suction cup, said stem having a longitudinal port, the upper end of the port being adapted to communicate with the interior of the cylinder, means ior retaining the plunger in a normal position, means to cover the upper end of the port when the plunger is moved downwardly beyond the normal position and to uncover such end when it is moved upwardly beyond such normal position, means for establishing suction transmitting communication between the lower end of the port and the suction cup when the plunger is raised upwardly beyond the normal position, and means for creating suction within the cylinder beneath the plunger.

11. In a bowling pin setting apparatus for use with a bowling alley bed, an elevator vertically movable toward and away from said bed, suction cups carried by the elevator and laterally shiftable with relation thereto, tapered shifting elements secured to the suction cups to engage with the handle ends of standing pins on said bed to shift and cause said elements and cups to shift in a substantially horizontal plane relative to said elevator to locate said cups in centered position relative to said pins, and means for creating suction within the suction cups during selected portions of the movement of said elevator whereby said elevator operates to lift oii-spot standing pins and replace the same in the same oii-spot position.

12. In a bowling pin setting apparatus for use with a bowling alley bed, an elevator vertically movable toward and away from said bed,

suction cups carried by the elevator .shiftable laterally with relation thereto, tapered shifting elements secured to the suction cups to engage with the handle ends of standing pins on said bed to shift the cupinto centered position relative to said pins, means to hold the suction cups against lateral movement with respect to the elevator and to also create suction within the suction cups during selected portions of the movement of said elevator whereby said elevator operates to lift ofi-spot standing pins and replace the same in the same oiT-spot position.

13. In a bowling pin setting apparatus for use with a bowling alley bed, an elevator vertically movable toward and away from said bed, said elevator including a support, tapered downwardly flaring shifting elements mounted on the support and movable laterally with relation thereto and adapted to contact with the handle ends of standing pins on said bed whereby said elements are shifted substantially horizontal on said elevator to center them over said standing pins, and suction operated pin holding means carried by each shifting element for gripping said standing pins for lifting by said elevator from said bed.

14. In a bowling pin setting apparatus including an alley bed, an elevator vertically movable toward and away from said bed, said elevator including a support, tapered downwardly flaring shifting elements mounted on said support and movable laterally and vertically with relation to said support and adapted to contact with the handle ends of the pins to center said elements with respect to the pins whereby said elements are shifted substantially horizontally to center them over said pins. and suction operated pin holding means carried by each shifting element.

15. In a bowling pin setting apparatus including an alley bed, an elevator movable vertically toward and away from said bed and also adapted to be inverted, pin holding devices arranged upon one side of the elevator and secured thereto, oppositely directed pin holding elements arranged near the other side of the elevator, tapered downwardly flaring shifting elements secured to said oppositely directed elements adapted to embrace the upper portion of the handle ends of the pins on said bed to center said holders relative to oiT-spot pins, and means for holding said oppositely directed elements against movement with relation to the elevator upon the inverting thereof.

16. In a bowling pin setting apparatus for use with an alley bed, an elevator movable vertically to and from an alley bed, a suction pin holder for gripping the handle end of a standing bowling pin by suction loosely carried by the elevator and having means for effecting an air tight sealing engagement with said handle end of the pin, means to create suction within the suction holder, and means for securing said holder in fixed relation to said elevator while a pin is suctionally held therein.

17. In a bowling pin setting apparatus for use with an alley bed, an elevator movable toward and away from said bed, suction pin holders carried by the elevator and laterally shiftable with relation thereto, yielding means for effecting vertical shifting movement of the suction cups when engaging the pin beyond a normal elevation for coaction with pins of slightly diifering height, means for creating suction within each suction cup and a tapering pin engaging shifting element secured to each suction cup for engaging and centering the cups with respect to off-spot pins.

18. In a bowling pin setting apparatus for use with an alley bed, an elevator movable to and from said bed, a suction pin holder carried by said elevator and including telescopic sections, yielding means to oppose the inward movement of one section but permitting relative movement of one with respect to the other in response to pressure of a pin standing on said bed, means to create a suction within said suction holder and a tapered pin engaging shifting element secured to the suction holder and arranged to center the holder with respect to an oil-spot pin standing on said bed.

19. In a bowling pin setting apparatus including an alley bed, an elevator vertically movable toward and away from said bed, pin holders adapted to hold a pin by its handle end mounted on said elevator for lateral shifting movement relative to the elevator and each other, and for vertical movement with said elevator to engage and pick up pins on the bed, and means for eiiecting individual operation of said holding means to cause the same to hold any number of standing pins less than the number of holders and retain the same during upward movement of the elevator to lift any pins left standing on the bed, after a ball is rolled.

20. In a bowling pin setting apparatus for use with a bowling alley bed, an elevator vertically movable toward and away from the bed, said elevator including a plate having openings therein corresponding in number and arrangement to the pins on an alley bed, hollow downwardly flared tapered shifting elements mounted over the openings of said plates with the flared edge portions of each of said elements arranged to rest on the portion of the plate which surrounds one of said openings and pin holders secured to said elements so that as the elevator moves toward the bed standing pins thereon will enter said openings, engage the flared interior of said elements, and shift the elements laterally to centralize the holders with respect to the pins.

21. In a bowling pin setting apparatus for use with a bowling alley bed, an elevator vertically movable toward and away from the bed, said elevator including a plate having openings therein corresponding in number and arrangement to the pins on an alley bed, hollow downwardly flared tapered shifting elements mounted over the openings of said plates with the flared edge portions of each of said elements arranged to rest on the portion of the plate which surrounds one of said openings, and pin holders secured to said elements so that as the elevator moves toward the bed standing pins thereon will enter said openings, engage the flared interior of said elements, and shift the elements to laterally centralize the holders with respect to the pins, said elements being mounted for limited vertical movement relative to said plate whereby upward pressure of standing pins on said elements will decrease the friction between the said flared edge portions and said plate.

22. In a bowling pin setting apparatus for use with a bowling alley bed, an elevator vertically movable toward and away from the bed, said elevator including two plates secured together in spaced relation, one of said plates having openings therein corresponding in number and arrangement to the pins on an alley bed, hollow downwardly flared tapered shifting elements mounted between said plates with one element registering with each opening, and pin holders secured to said elements so that as the elevator moves toward the bed standing pins thereon will enter said openings, engage the flared interior of said elements, and shift the elements to centralize the holders with respect to the pins.

23. A bowling pin gripping device for a bowling pin setting machine comprising, a suction cup, including rigid annular stop means adapted to embrace the handle end of a bowling pin, and a downwardly flaring element associated with said cup and arranged to center said cup with respect to a pin to be gripped.

24. A bowling pin gripping device comprising a member having stop means arranged to encircle and engage the handle end of a standing pin, and fluid operated means located about said member and cooperating therewith to grip said pin by fluid pressure.

25. A bowling pin gripping device comprising a member having a stop arranged for engagement with the handle end of a standing pin, suction operated means located about said member and cooperating therewith to grip said pin by suction pressure, and a downwardly flaring device associated with said member and means for centering said member with respect to a pin to be gripped.

26. A bowling pin gripping device for a bowling pin setting machine comprising a suction cup provided with rigid stop means adapted to encircle and engage the handle end of a bowling pin, an elastic ring surrounding said cup for sealing the head of a pin to said cup, and a downwardly flaring element associated with said cup and ring for centering said cup with respect to a pin to be gripped.

27. In a bowling pin setting apparatus, a vertically movable elevator, and a plurality of suction pin gripping elements mounted on said elevator, each of said elements comprising a support member, a suction cup aiflxed to said member, a downwardly flaring element mounted on said cup and arranged to center a pin with respect to said cup whenever said elevator is lowered to bring said elements into position to grip pins standing on an alley, an elastic ring surrounding said cup, and means for introducing suction into said cup and sealing said ring to the head end of a pin to grip the same.

28. A bowling pin gripping device for use with a bowling pin setting machine comprising a suction cup provided with a substantially rigid section movable relative to said cup and adapted to engage the head of a pin, and a tapering pin engaging and shifting element associated with each cup for centering said cup with respect to a pin to be gripped.

29. A bowling pin gripping device for use with a machine for setting pins on a bowling alley, comprising a gripper cup provided with a longitudinally movable substantially rigid section arranged to engage the head end of a pin, yielding means normally extending said section, whereby whenever a standing pin engages said section it will be moved longitudinally against said yielding means, and a downwardly tapering, shifting element associated with said cup for centering said cup with respect to a pin to be gripped.

30. A- bowling pin gripping device for use with a machine for setting pins on a bowling alley, comprising a longitudinally adjustable suction cup, including an extension section, arranged to engage the head end of a standing pin, mounted for movement between inner and outer limits relative to said cup. a spring normally urging said section to its outer limits, and a downwardly flaring shifting unit mounted on said cup and arranged to center said cup with respect to a pin to be gripped, said section being adapted to be moved towards its inner limits, an amount determined by the height of a standing pin engaged by said unit.

31. A bowling pin handling device for a bowling pin setting machine, comprising a suction cup provided with a rigid flange constructed and arranged to engage the head end of a bowling pin, and a beveled edge on the inside of said flange arranged to embrace and position said head end of a standing pin in said cup.

32. A bowling pin handling device for a bowling pin setting machine, comprising a suction cup provided with a rigid flange arranged to surround and position the head end of a standing bowling pin in said cup, and an elastic ring surrounding said flange adjacent said head end of said pin for sealing said pin head to said cup.

33. A bowling pin gripping device for bowling pin setting machines, comprising a casing, a suction cup movably mounted in said casing for movement relative thereto, said cup being provided with rigid stop means arranged to engage and locate the head end of a bowling pin in said device, and means for urging said cup into position to be engaged by said pin.

34. In a bowling pin gripping device for pin setting machines, an elevator provided with upper and lower spaced plate members, said lower member being furnished with a plurality of openings through which bowling pin head ends may move, a bowling pin gripping device mounted over each of said openings independently movable vertically and horizontally relative to said upper and lower plate members, said device comprising a disk provided with a sealing ring, a casing, a downwardly flaring pin centering element attached to said casing, a suction cup slidably mounted in said casing, a spring positioned between said cup and disk and normally tending to project said cup from said casing, means in said casing for preventing outward movement of said cup,'means for lowering said table to cause standing pins to engage said cup and move said ring into sealing relationship with said upper plate member and move said cup relative to said casing, and means operative when said disk has been sealed to said upper plate member for creating suction in said cup to grip the handle end of a pin seated therein.

GO'IIFRIED J. SCHMIDT. 

